Greenwood Laboratory School at Missouri State University will break ground on the Greenwood Science Scholars’ Laboratory at 1:15 p.m. Dec. 7.

The new 9,000 square foot science wing will house two, 1,800 square foot state-of-the-art lab/classrooms with associated storage space, two study atriums, faculty offices and a large student atrium. The addition was designed by Butler Rosenbury & Partners and will be built by Rich Kramer Construction Company, Inc. Both firms working on this project are Springfield-based companies.

Greenwood students, Missouri State students, Missouri State science professors, as well as Summer Science Scholars’ Academy students from Springfield and across the state, will benefit from the science education and research opportunities available. The latest teaching techniques and exploration of the science of medicine, as well as other areas of science education, will be emphasized.

“Greenwood Lab School students annually win Ozarks Science and Engineering Fair competitions,” said Dr. Janice Duncan, Greenwood director. “Many of their projects are based on scientific medical research and generations of Greenwood graduates have become science and medical professionals.”

As an inquiry-based university laboratory school, Greenwood’s mission is to continue to pursue advanced educational techniques, especially in the area of science.

“With the addition of this facility, Greenwood and Missouri State will offer an educational science atmosphere that is unique to this region,” said Duncan. “The former secondary science classrooms will be remodeled to create a new K-6 Science Center at Greenwood.”

The addition will be named for Bill and Shirley McQueary and Fred and Ramona McQueary. The two advanced lab/classrooms will be named for former Greenwood science instructors – the late Dr. Efton R. (Heavy) Henderson, who taught physics and chemistry at Greenwood from 1926-1966; and Robert J. McLaren, who began teaching biology and earth science in 1966 and retired in 1991.

A capital campaign has successfully raised almost $2.5 million to cover the cost of the wing, which will be a LEED Silver facility.